No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.
The Effect of L-Carnitine on Sperm Parameters in Patients Candidated for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
Abstract
Background: The etiologic cause in near one third of male factor infertility is unknown. The percentage of men with idiopathic infertility who have been successfully treated by the empirical therapeutic modalities is not high. Objective: The aim of this study was to assay the effect of L-carnitine on sperm parameters in patients who needs intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as a method for infertility treatment. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 65 men (mean age± SD: 34.4 ± 6.07) presenting with primary infertility due to idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. L-carnitine was prescribed 1gram orally every 8 hours for 3 months. Before and after the ending of the L-carnitine treatment, semen analysis was performed. Results: The proportion of patients who had motile and grade C sperms rose significantly after treatment. Percentile of abnormal shaped sperms decreased significantly after treatment. In approximately 22%, complete asthenozoospermia changed to relative asthenozoospermia. Conclusion: Appearing motile sperms will potentially improve the technique of ICSI. The magnitude of the elevation in normal morphology is not clinically obvious, but it seems that it can be important in obtaining normal-shaped sperms for intracytoplasmic injection. Designing a study on selected patients with complete asthenozoospermia who have not other abnormalities in semen parameters can reveal the real effect of carnitine therapy in this category.
... Another earlier study involving Japanese black steers showed a likely relationship between plasma L-carnitine levels and genetic characteristics [4]. Furthermore, Azzawi et al. [5], Mongioi et al. [6], Aliabadi et al. [7], Garolla et al. [8], and Khademi et al. [9] reported that men with infertility caused by insufficient L-carnitine synthesis, oral administration of L-carnitine increased sperm motility. In contrast, a low serum L-carnitine level resulting from a genetic deficiency decreased sperm motility. ...
... The thresholds of motility and progressive motility and their relationship with the serum L-carnitine level will be further investigated in future work, but we use the mean values in the present study. It is possible that the low total and progressive motility observed in area D might be recovered through the dietary administration of L-carnitine, similar to the male infertility treatments in human patients [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]. ...
... The reason for this in-consistency seems to be the results of differences in the amount of L-carnitine synthesized de novo in the body, which is influenced by the amount administered. The relationship between L-carnitine and male infertility has been studied extensively[5] [6][7] [8][9] and treatment with L-carnitine has been shown to improve total and progressive motility. These reports showed the male infertility can be caused by L-carnitine deficiency, particularly in the epididymal plasma. ...
... [16] In the study by Peyvandi et al, two months administration of L-carnitine to males with infertility increased the progressive motility of spermatozoa. [10] Different clinical trials [9,[17][18][19][20] and pharmacological studies [12,15,21] showed that the consumption of L-carnitine and Tribulus terrestris extract could improve sperm parameters and consequently result in infertility treatment. The results were inconsistent with those of the current study. ...
... Contradiction between the findings of the mentioned studies and those of the current one can be attributed to different sample sizes, duration of study or administered dosage; however, co-administration of Tribulus terrestris extract and L-carnitine may reduce the efficacy since most of the studies with higher efficacies administered the compounds separately. In a study by Khademi et al (2004) L-carnitine was administered 3 g/day for three months to 65 males with infertility (Grade C progressively motile spermatozoa) in order to evaluate the sperm parameters; results showed a significant increase in sperm counts and significant decrease in the rate of morphological abnormalities. [17] However, in the study by Jehan et al (2012) on idiopathic infertility, L-carnitine plus multivitamin was administered to 139 males with infertility and results indicated that consumption of the two compounds simultaneously was more effective than their separate consumption. ...
... In a study by Khademi et al (2004) L-carnitine was administered 3 g/day for three months to 65 males with infertility (Grade C progressively motile spermatozoa) in order to evaluate the sperm parameters; results showed a significant increase in sperm counts and significant decrease in the rate of morphological abnormalities. [17] However, in the study by Jehan et al (2012) on idiopathic infertility, L-carnitine plus multivitamin was administered to 139 males with infertility and results indicated that consumption of the two compounds simultaneously was more effective than their separate consumption. [8] Cheng et al (2008) showed that coadministration of L-carnitine and acetyl-carnitine as an alternative medicine can be effective to treat idiopathic asthenospermia and the quality of semen was improved following the consumption of the compounds. ...
... Therefore, oxidative stress has been assessed using these enzymatic antioxidants activities. [28][29][30] In the study undertaken, protective role of C. pepo seed extract on the lead induced effects in the serum and testicular oxidative status has been investigated through in-vivo method. The biochemical pathways underlying the lead toxicity were investigated by monitoring the levels of MDA and the activity of primary antioxidant enzymes such SOD, CAT, and GPx. ...
... [35] Lead exposure may generate intense lipid peroxidation that may disrupt the mitochondrial and cytoplasmic membranes, leading to more severe oxidative damage in the tissues and, as a result, releasing lipid hydroperoxides into circulation that represent the induction of oxidative stress. [30] At least in part, lead-induced testicular injury has been linked to toxicant-induced oxidative stress. A prolonged lead exposure results in increased lipid peroxidation and inhibited SOD function, and leads to testicular oxidative damage. ...
Lead (Pb) exposure is considered to be an alarming public health problem since evidence has mounted regarding its adverse impact on health and reproduction. The current research was intended to evaluate the ameliorative effects of Cucurbita pepo L. (pumpkin) against lead toxicity-induced oxidative stress in experimental rats. Before the animal study, a preliminary phytochemical screening was done to detect the presence of various phytoconstituents in the seed extract. Thirty adult male wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into five groups for the experimental study. Group 1 served as the control while groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were treated with 30 mg/kg lead acetate, 1000 mg/kg seed extract alone (high dose), 30 mg/kg lead acetate and 100 mg/kg seed extract (low dose) and 30 mg/kg lead acetate and 1000 mg/kg seed extract (high dose), respectively. Enzymatic antioxidant concentrations in serum and testis were found to check the response of antioxidants to lead toxicity. In lead treated group, increased oxidative stress was observed which was indicated by a significant (p<0.001) decline in the concentration of the enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, CAT and GPx) coupled with a significant increase in lipid peroxidation marked by high MDA level. Interestingly, at high dosage of C. pepo seed extract, enzymatic antioxidant concentration was comparable to control and significantly higher compared to other experimental groups. The study revealed that even in low dosage, C. pepo administration could improve the antioxidant status in the lead-treated group. This investigation recommends C. pepo seeds as a potent natural product promising strong protection against lead toxicity-induced oxidative stress which could be pharmacologically explored for drug synthesis.
... L-carnitine has been studied in oocyte (Wu et al., 2011), sperm (Khademi et al., 2012), embryo (You et al., 2012), disease (Malaguarnera et al., 2011), and metabo-lism (Koeth et al., 2013). Especially, some study reported that carnitine improves sperm motility (Morgante et al., 2010). ...
... Also, carnitine helps to the acquisition of sperm motility (Casillas, 1973) and modulates metabolic function (Jeulin and Lewin, 1996) of sperm included to β-oxidation and coenzyme A (Stradaioli et al., 2004). Thus, the study of L-carnitine in sperm has been reported in human (Khademi et al., 2012), rabbit (Sarıozkan et al., 2014), rat (Dehghani et al., 2013) and mouse (Moawad et al., 2013). However, the diluted solution with L-carnitine for semen storage is not studying in pig. ...
L-Carnitine is an antioxidant for the transport of fatty acids in mitochondria and breakdown of lipids for metabolic energy. Some studies have suggested that carnitine improves sperm motility in mammals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of L-carnitine on the characteristics in fresh semen of miniature pigs. The collected fresh semen was stored in modena B medium with L-carnitine (0, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg/ml) for 10 days at 18°C. The semen quality of viability, acrosome reaction and mitochondria integrity was analyzed on 0, 3, 7, and 10 day of semen storage. The percentages of live and dying sperm were not different among treatment groups with different concentrations of L-carnitine during the storage period. In acrosome reaction analysis, when the sperm stored for 7 day, the percentages of live sperm with acrosome reaction were significantly (p<0.05) lower in 1 (9.0±0.9%), 2 (7.6±0.2%) or 4 mg/ml (7.9±0.8%) L-carnitine-treated groups than the control group (0 mg/ml L-carnitine) (11.12±0.2%). However, there were no difference in percentages of live sperm with acrosome reaction for 3 and 10 days of storage with each concentrations of L-carnitine. When sperm was stored for 3 and 10 days, the percentages of live sperm with mitochondria integrity were significantly higher in 2 mg/ml of L-carnitine-treated group than control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, the L-carnitine has a positive effect on acrosome reaction and mitochondria integrity in liquid state of fresh semen in miniature pigs.
... Some authors suggest a daily carnitine dose of 3 gr that is given for about four months has significant improvement of sperm motility from pretreatment levels, but some believe even a higher dose of 4 gr per day over shorter treatment duration (two months) also increases significantly progressive sperm motility (22)(23). A more recent, controlled study in which 2 gr carnitine was administered daily and they showed the most significant improvement in motility was seen in the groups with lower baseline motility (18,24). The IOAT, particularly severe cases are the major causes of male factor infertility, which finally may influence the pregnancy success rates following ART (25). ...
... Both PX and L-C are from the nutraceutics pharmacy group which derives from the combination of the words 'nutrition' and 'pharmaceutics'. They have been used in various clinical trials, either singly or rare in combination by other agents, to improve sperm parameters especially sperm motility (24). ...
Pentoxifylline (PX) is a methyl xanthine derivative that influences the sperm motion characteristics and L-carnitine (L-C) is an amino acid that is naturally produced in the body. In general, separate administration of PX and L-C has been reported to be effective on preserving sperm motility in vitro, and also when is consumed orally by the Idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (IOAT) patients.
The aim of this study was to evaluate any possible effect of a combination of L-C and PX on sperm characteristics and improving the type of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) in a group of patients with unexplained oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.
Two hundred twelve infertile men with IOAT in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial were allocated for this study. They randomized to four groups. Group I received PX/ and L-C (each one, twice daily), group II, PX and placebo, group III, L-C with the placebo, and group IV, received placebo tablets. Finally, we compared pre and post intervention sperm parameters and ART procedures between groups.
While the use of PX and L-C are only improved sperm motility, but their combined uses improved all sperm parameters, especially the sperm count. Also the combination of PX and L-C was effective on improving the ART procedures (p<0.01).
Our results demonstrate that the combination use of PX and L-C is useful in improving of sperm parameters in IOAT patients and also, improve ART procedures in this group of patients.
... They were used in various clinical trials, either singly or in combination with the agents, to correct sperm parameters especially sperm motility and concentration. 7,8,18,19,20 Considering sperm concentration, there was a considerable increase in sperm concentration in treated patients. This is in accord with other studies that declared a significant increase in concentration, due to vitamin E content and Beta carotene which Neutralizes free radicals and cushions the cellular membrane against oxygen free radicals, and increase in sperm concentration and motility reduction in oxidative stress measures and SDF (sperm DNA fragmentation). ...
Background: Fertil Aid for Men is a non-prescription dietary supplement, it’s a mixture of multiple antioxidants,vitamins, a blend of herbal ingredients, and amino acid, as L-Carnitine. This research aims to appraise theeffectiveness of a mixture of vitamins and antioxidants on seminal fluid parameters in males with idiopathicinfertility.Method: Thirty-three men with idiopathic infertility were involved inthis prospective clinical study. The baselinesemen specimens were taken from the subjects following three to seven days’ abstinence. Semen parametersincluding (volume, pH, concentration, and motility) were measured. Abnormal sperm sample subjects were givena FertilAid capsule three times daily for 90 days then final semen analysis was estimated.The outcomes of this study demonstrated consumption of fertilAid has significantly improved sperm count/ml (p< 0.05), also significant amelioration in the sperm motility including progressive and non-progressive motility (p< 0.05). The rate of total sperm motility was significantly improved (p < 0.05).The concentration of immotile spermhas considerablyreduced (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The administration of a combination of L-Carnitine, Zinc, Maca Root, Asian Ginseng, Vitamin C, E,Beta Carotene, and Selenium PLUS CoQ10 in idiopathic male infertility has notably improved sperm parameters.
... EM examination showed a highly significant decrease (P 6 0.0001) regarding mitochondrial sheath defect after treatment, while no changes were observed regarding the mean percent of dense fibers and axonemal defects. Previous authors (42,43) reported that, the administration of carnitine to patients with idiopathic atheno-zoospermia would provide additive substrate for sperm energy, metabolism and motility. ...
... The positive impact of L-carnitine on sperm parameters have been studied in previous studies. It was directly related to improvements in sperm parameters as sperm counts, viability and morphology (Ahmed et al., 2011;Al-Daraji & Tahir, 2014;Khademi et al., 2004). The improvements in sperm parameters can be attributed to the antioxidant properties of L-carnitine as it prevents the production of free radicals in the semen as reported by Agarwal and Said (2004). ...
Lead toxicity is one of the causative agents of male infertility that raised concern from environmental contamination worldwide. L‐carnitine, a biologically active amino acid, present in high concentration in the reproductive organs such as the epididymis, is involved in sperm maturation. The possible protective effect of L‐carnitine in experimentally lead‐induced male reproductive toxicity in rats was evaluated in this study. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were divided into three groups. Group 1: the negative control group was treated with normal saline; Group 2: exposed to 50 mg/kg lead acetate (2% solution in saline); and Group 3: treated with lead acetate 50 mg/kg (2% solution in saline) + L‐carnitine 100 mg/kg. At the end of the experimental period, body and testicular weights were determined, blood samples were withdrawn for hormonal assays of FSH, LH and testosterone. Sperm parameters as sperm count, morphology, viability and motility were measured. Testicular tissue homogenates were prepared for enzymatic assays and for measuring oxidative stress parameters. Lead significantly increased both oxidative stress and the concentration of lactate dehydrogenase‐C in the testicular tissues with a decrease in sperm count, motility and viability. Lead acetate treatment, induced alteration in sperms with normal morphology together with reductions in the serum FSH, LH, testosterone, body and testicular weights. The concentration of 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was significantly reduced. Co‐administration of L‐carnitine significantly reduced testicular oxidative stress, improved sperm parameters, elevated serum FSH, LH and testosterone with an insignificant reduction in the testicular weight. The concentrations of 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase‐C were significantly improved by L‐carnitine. The overall results indicate that L‐carnitine is expected to improve the lead acetate‐induced male reproductive toxicity.
... Recently, human and animal experiments have specified a potential role for using carnitine as an antioxidant and free radical sweeper that are able to raise seminal fluid quality. In addition, the pathway that carnitines regulate male fertility is not yet well-known and they may lead to several disorders such as nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, seizures, diarrhea, and heartburn (23,24). Our previous experiment indicated that formalin has an adverse impact on sperm parameters and chromatin stability in mice. ...
Background:
Formalin is commonly applied as an antiseptic and tissue fixative. It has reactive molecules that lead to its cytotoxic effects. According to recent studies, formalin causes a change in the testicular and sperm structure and L-carnitine (LC) acts as an antioxidant to counteract its effects.
Objective:
This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of LC on the parameters, chromatin condensation and apoptosis of mice sperm exposed to formalin.
Materials and methods:
In this experimental study, 24 balb/c mice (25-40 gr,10-12 wk) were divided into three groups (n = 8/each): group I without any injections or gavage; group II, received 10 mg/ kg formalin intraperitoneally (I.P); and group III was exposed to formalin and LC, where a dose of 10 mg/kg formalin was injected I.P daily and LC the dose of 100 mg/kg was kept in a solvent solution. After 31 days, the sperm examination was performed as follows: to evaluate chromatin and DNA quality of the sperm, we applied aniline blue (AB), toluidine blue (TB), chromomycin A3 (CMA3), and terminal transferase-mediated deoxy uridine triphosphate biotin end labeling (TUNEL) tests.
Results:
Sperm parameters such as count, motility, morphology, and viability displayed a significant decrease in the formalin group. While the data exhibited a considerable augment in sperm parameters in the formalin + LC than the formalin and control groups (p
<
0.001), significant differences were detected between groups with respect to TB staining, TUNEL test, CMA3 test and AB staining in the formalin and formalin + LC groups.
Conclusion:
LC can reduce the negative effects of formalin on sperm parameters, chromatin stability, and percentage of apoptosis in an animal model.
... This result agreed with previous study (Kang et al., 2011;Abo-Ghanema et al., 2012) reported that Lcarnitine improves reproductive function via increasing sperm parameters, testicular antioxidant enzyme and testosterone hormone levels, L-carnitine is significantly correlated with sperm count, motility and vitality. While the result of the study sperm abnormal morphology percentage insignificantly changed this result agreed with that documented by (Khademi et al., 2012) in contrast L-carnitine supplementation has improved sperm morphology which documented by (Dehghani et al., 2013). Other studies have suggested that L-carnitine has improved sperm motility and chromatin quality via antioxidant properties and the enhanced glucose uptake by sperm (Aliabadi et al., 2012). ...
This study aimed to examine the result of Effects of almond oil, vitamin E, Lcarnitine and vitamin E + L- carnitine on sperm quality in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Ninety male albino rats weighing between 200 250 g, have been utilized. The animals housed under standard laboratory conditions (12 h light: 12 h dark photoperiod), 22± 2 Cº, and the animals were given standard rat pellets and tap water ad libitum. Diabetes was induced experimentally by a single subcutaneous injection of rats with diabetogenic agent alloxan (120 mg/kg). After four weeks, rats with blood glucose more than 200 mg/dl were considered as diabetes. The animals arbitrarily divided into six groups, first group regarded as normal control rats, second group considered as diabetic control rats, third group treated with vitamin E (2000 IU/kg diet), fourth group treated with L-carnitine, L-carnitine (5gm/kg diet), fifth group treated with vitamin E (2000 IU/kg diet) + L-carnitine
(5gm/kg diet) and the sixth group treated with Almond oil treated diabetic group. Rats of the sixth group received 1 ml/kg BW of almond oil per rat per day, for five weeks. The oil mixed with the diet. At the end of the treatment, the result showed the levels of Sperm Count, Sperm live percent, sperm motile percent, and sperm healthy morphology percent were significantly (P 0.05) decreased in diabetic rats
fed with regular diet
... This result agreed with previous study (Kang et al., 2011;Abo-Ghanema et al., 2012) reported that Lcarnitine improves reproductive function via increasing sperm parameters, testicular antioxidant enzyme and testosterone hormone levels, L-carnitine is significantly correlated with sperm count, motility and vitality. While the result of the study sperm abnormal morphology percentage insignificantly changed this result agreed with that documented by (Khademi et al., 2012) in contrast L-carnitine supplementation has improved sperm morphology which documented by (Dehghani et al., 2013). Other studies have suggested that L-carnitine has improved sperm motility and chromatin quality via antioxidant properties and the enhanced glucose uptake by sperm (Aliabadi et al., 2012). ...
In the present study 30 male albino rats have been utilized. Diabetes mellitus was induced of rats with alloxan.
The animals were divided into 6 groups, control rats, diabetic rats (model), group was treated daily with almond oil, group was treated with vitamin-E, group was treated with L-carnitine, and the last group was treated with vitamin -E + L-carnitine daily for five weeks. At the end of the treatments the levels of serum glucose, cholesterol, and Triacylglcerol and serum malondialdehyde were significantly increased in comparison to non treated diabetic rats. Serum catalase and Serum superoxide dismutase level were significantly reduced in non-treated. Feed of almonds, Vitamin-E, L-carnitine, and (L-carnitine +Vitamin- E) for five weeks were significantly, elevated serum superoxide dismutase, reduced the levels of serum TG and serum malondialdehyde. While the diabetic rats treated with Vitamin-E, (Vitamin-E+L-carnitine) and almond, showed significant reducing serum glucose and cholesterol..
... It also has a beneficial effect on morphology only after 3-6 months of continued treatment (Agarwal & Sekhon, 2010). However, the effects of L-carnitine on a subset of patients with severe OAT were never previously investigated (Khademi et al., 2004). ...
Severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) refers to impaired count, motility and abnormal sperm morphology of infertile men associated with high chromosomal abnormalities. The objective of the present study was to define a management protocol for severe OAT cases and discover new routes to improve their basic semen parameters. We have applied a therapeutic treatment protocol in a cohort of 210 infertile men diagnosed with extreme severe idiopathic OAT. This therapeutic treatment based on modifying the lifestyle factors combined with antioxidant treatment for 6 months in severe OAT to study its effect on basic semen parameter. Basic semen parameters were assessed before and after applying the therapeutic treatment strategy. Sperm concentration, percentage of total motility and progressive motility were significantly increased after applying the therapeutic treatment (p = .006, p = .001 and p = .001 respectively). On the other hand, abnormal sperm morphology was significantly reduced after therapy (p < .01). In conclusion, the present results suggested that antioxidative supplement in combination with modifying the lifestyle factors in a cumulative treatment period significantly improves the basic semen parameters.
... The mechanisms by which these drugs target the endogenous aspects of spermatogenesis and how they improve sperm integrity still need to be elucidated. Oral administration of L-carnitine for three months in patients with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia resulted in improvement of sperm motility and morphology in candidates need Intracytoplsmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) [2]. ...
Objective: Current information on using anti-estrogenic compounds, antioxidant vitamins and minerals in treatment of male factor infertility still remains controversial. Herein, we investigated the pregnancy outcome in male factor infertile patients using a combination of non-specific empiric modalities and Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI) procedures.
Subjects and Methods: The study involved a group of 33 infertile couples with mild male factor infertility who previously failed two IUI attempts. The patients received tamoxifen, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium for three months prior to their third IUI treatment cycle. Four important parameters were mainly noted: sperm concentration, motility, forward progression and the percentage normal forms.
Results: There was no difference between these parameters in semen samples of our study group in the first and second IUI treatment cycles (p<0.96, p<0.23, p<0.59, p<0.84 respectively). However, after completion of the empiric therapy course and in the third IUI treatment cycle, significant differences in overall values for the four semen parameters were detected in comparison to the earlier two IUI cycles (range p<0.005 to p<0.0005), except for semen volume and sperm normal forms, resulting in a chemical pregnancy rate of 30.3%, a clinical pregnancy rate of 21.2% and a delivery rate of 18.1%. Grouping the female patients according to the Body Mass Index (BMI) showed imperative differences in pregnancy outcome, yet there was no clear effect of age over pregnancy success rates in our study group.
Conclusion: Combined empirical therapies can improve semen parameters in infertile men with mild male factor. Double insemination procedures with improved semen samples, can contribute in increasing the chances of pregnancy and life birth more significantly in females with lower BMI.
... This result agreed with previous study (Kang et al., 2011; AboGhanema et al., 2012 ) reported that Lcarnitine improves reproductive function via increasing sperm parameters, testicular antioxidant enzyme and testosterone hormone levels, L-carnitine is significantly correlated with sperm count, motility and vitality. While the result of the study sperm abnormal morphology percentage insignificantly changed this result agreed with that documented by (Khademi et al., 2012) in contrast L- carnitine supplementation has improved sperm morphology which documented by (Dehghani et al., 2013). Other studies have suggested that L-carnitine has improved sperm motility and chromatin quality via antioxidant properties and the enhanced glucose uptake by sperm (Aliabadi et al., 2012). ...
This study aimed to examine the result of Effects of almond oil, vitamin E, Lcarnitine and vitamin E + L- carnitine on sperm quality in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Ninety male albino rats weighing between 200 250 g, have been utilized. The animals housed under standard laboratory conditions (12 h light: 12 h dark
photoperiod), 22± 2 Cº, and the animals were given standard rat pellets and tap water ad libitum. Diabetes was induced experimentally by a single injection of rats with diabetogenic agent alloxan (120 mg/kg). After four weeks, rats with blood glucose more than 200 mg/dl were considered as diabetes. The animals arbitrarily divided into six groups, first group regarded as normal control rats, second group considered as diabetic control rats, third group treated with vitamin E (2000 IU/kg diet), fourth group treated with L-carnitine, L-carnitine (5gm/kg diet), fifth group treated with vitamin E (2000 IU/kg diet) + L-carnitine (5gm/kg diet) and the sixth group treated with Almond oil treated diabetic group.
Rats of the sixth group received 1 ml/kg BW of almond oil per rat per day, for five weeks. The oil mixed with the diet. At the end of the treatment, the result showed the levels of Sperm Count, Sperm live percent, sperm motile percent, and sperm healthy morphology percent were significantly (P 0.05) decreased in diabetic rats fed with regular diet.
... In patients treated with L-carnitine only, there was improvement in sperm motility, morphology and semen volume, and no significant improvement regarding sperm concentration. These results agree with previous reports of positive effects on sperm motility and morphology (Costa et al., 1994;Afsaneh et al., 2004;Sethumadhavan Fig. 6 Transverse section in the head of an abnormal spermatozoon of idiopathic oligoathenoteratozoospermia patients showing nuclear vacuole (V) within the context of the nucleus (N) and acrosomal redundancy (arrow) (Mag. 15000). ...
... The etiology of male infertility is unknown in approximately one third of the patients. The unaccountable forms of male infertility may be caused by several factors, such as chronic stress, endocrine disruption due to environmental pollution and genetic abnormalities (4)(5)(6). There is genetic predisposition to these pathologies such as varicocele (increased scrotal temperature) (1). ...
Chromosomal abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions are regarded as two most frequent genetic causes associated with failure of spermatogenesis in the Caucasian population.
To investigate the distribution of genetic defects in the Romanian population with azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia, karyotype analysis by G-banding was carried out in 850 idiopathic infertile men and in 49 fertile men with one or more children. Screening for microdeletions in the azoospermia factor (AZF) region of Y chromosome was performed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on a group of 67 patients with no detectable chromosomal abnormality. The results of the two groups were compared by a two-tailed Fisher's exact test.
In our study chromosomal abnormalities were observed in 12.70% and 8.16% of infertile and fertile individuals respectively.
Our data suggests that infertile men with severe azoospermia have higher incidences of genetic defects than fertile men and also patients from any other group. Infertile men with normal sperm present a higher rate of polymorphic variants. It is important to know whether there is a genetic cause of male infertility before patients are subjected to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or testicular sperm extraction (TESE)/ICSI treatment.
... In addition, L-carnitine enhances the activity of DNA repairing enzyme poly (ADPribosyl) polymerase and also other related repair mechanisms (14). The use of Lcarnitine and its derivatives in therapy has been proposed in recent years for the treatment of male infertility, and a number of human and animal studies have been published that indicate a possible role for B application of carnitine as an antioxidant and free radical scavenger that can improve seminal fluid quality, but, however, the mechanisms by which carnitines control male fertility are not yet understood and they cause some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, seizures, diarrhea and heartburn (8,15). ...
Background: Busulfan(Bus) is a chemotherapy drug that is widely used for cancer treatment. However, administration of busulfan may cause temporary or permanent sterility in male patients. Therefore, reduction of this side is necessary.
Objective: evaluation of the protective effects of L-carnitine and testis homogenized tissue(THT) on sperm parameters and the testis structure after busulfan treatment.
Materials and Methods: Twenty rats were divided four groups. Group I (Control) received a single dose of DMSO and 1mL of distilled water (I.P.). Group II (Bus) received a single of busulfan (10 mg/kg) plus 1 ml of the distilled water(I.P.). Group III (Bus+THT) received busulfan plus 1mL of THT daily by oral gavages. Group IV (Bus+L-car) received a single dose of busulfan plus 100 mg/kg/day L-carnitine(I.P.). after 48 dayst, the Stereological technique was used for the estimating volume and diameter of testis, seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue, flagella length, germinal epithelium height and spermatoginic cell number. Semen analysis was used for the assessment of sperm parameters.
Results: THT increased volume of testis (6.5%), seminiferous tubule and interstitial tissue volume (6.5%), 6.9% and 11.7% respectively), germinal epithelium height (13%), sperm count (7.5%), and decreased sperm with abnormal morphology (1%) in comparison with the L-carnitine in busulfan treated group.
Conclusion: It seems the use of L-carnitine and THT decreases side effects of busulfan on the male reproductive system. However, in our study, THT is more effective than L-carnitine and leads to the recovery testis structure and sperm parameters after treatment with busulfan.
This article extracted from M.Sc. thesis. (Ashraf Hassanpour)
... Interestingly, we found an increase in normalshaped sperms in smokers. In another study, we showed that the percentile of normal-shaped sperms rises after carnitine therapy in oligozoospermic patients (23). In other studies, there was no statistically significant increase in percentile of normal morphology. ...
To determine the effects of L: -carnitine on sperm parameters in patients with idiopathic sperm abnormalities.
In an academic reproductive care center, 170 patients including 48 smokers and 122 non-smokers participated in a before-after study. Men were given 1 g of L: -carnitine orally 3 x daily for 3 months. Sperm assessment was done before and after the treatment. Main outcome measures were sperm concentration, motility, and morphology before and after the treatment.
L-Carnitine was effective in improvement of percentile of motile sperms, grade A sperms, and normal-shaped sperms. L-Carnitine significantly improved percentile of motile and grade A sperms in non-smokers. Only the change in the median percentile of normal forms was within the significant range in smokers.
The results of this study indicate that smoker patients should not be excluded from the treatment with L-carnitine based on smoking alone.
Kiani M, Parto P., Effect of L-Carnitine on semen of adult NMRI mice injected prolonged Cimetidine, Onl J Vet Res., 22 (3):210-215, 2018. Cimetidine is given for stomach ulcers, but its prolonged use can affect the male reproductive system. We report effects of L-carnitine on semen from adult mice treated daily for 15 days with 100mg/kg cimetidine. Groups of 5 NMRI mice each were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with 100 mg/kg cimetidine, 100 mg/kg L-carnitine, or 100 mg/kg cimetidine with 100mg L-carnitine in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) daily for 15 days. Controls were injected 1ml/L PBS IP. Cimetidine caused a decrease (P≤0.05) in motility, viability and normal morphology, but did not affect sperm count. Compared with mice given only cimetidine, L-carnitine with cimetidine increased (P≤0.05) sperm count, motility, viability and normal morphology. Our findings suggest that L-carnitine prevented toxic effects of cimetidine in sperm of adult NMRI mice.
The male factor is responsible for infertility in about 35–40% of all cases. Idiopathic oligo- and/or astheno- and/or therato-zoospermia is one of the most common male fertility disorders and remains a significant therapeutic challenge. The primary cause of idiopathic male infertility remains unknown but seems to be associated with oxidative stress. Objective: The use of antioxidative formulation to improve qualitative and quantitative deficiencies in the male gametes.
In total, 78 subjects were treated with a combination of 1,725 mg L-carnitine fumarate, 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine, 90 mg vitamin C, 20 mg coenzyme Q 10 , 10 mg zinc, 200 µg folic acid, 50 µg selenium, and 1.5 µg vitamin B 12 (Proxeed ® Plus, Sigma-Tau, Italy) for 6 months; the preparation was taken twice daily from the time idiopathic infertility was diagnosed. Basic seminal parameters were evaluated by a European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) -certified embryologist following the fifth edition of the World Health Organisation (2010) guidelines at three time points: at baseline and 3 and 6 months of treatment.
Improvements in semen parameters (differing in terms of dynamics) were evident at 3 months and gradually improved over the 6 months of treatment. Each parameter: sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm total and progressive motility improved significantly after treatment except for the percentage of sperm of abnormal morphology and ejaculate volume.
Proxeed Plus was effective for patients with idiopathic infertility; however, a long treatment period is needed to achieve optimal results.
Objective
This work was conducted to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine on sperm morphology in sub fertile patients who need enhance for intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as a method of infertility treatment.
L-carnitine is required during the oxidation of lipids for the transport of fatty acids from the cytosol into the mitochondria for generation of energy. L-carnitine exerts a substantial antioxidant, anti-cytokines and anti apoptotic actions providing multi-mechanisms protective effects for the cell. The gametes in vitro may be exposed to damaging effects from oxidative stress (OS) due to either the high oxygen tension compared to the in vivo condition or the preparation producers preceding the in vitro fertilization (e.g. sperm preparation procedures preceding the in vitro fertilization). Moreover OS can affect the gametes in vivo under certain conditions as in endometriosis or leukocytospermia. Oxidative stress and cell apoptosis may adversely impact the fertilization process and the subsequent embryo development and pregnancy outcome. This review discusses the protective effects of L-carnitine for gametes and embryos and how it may help improve the embryogenesis and the in vitro fertilization outcome.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.